The Value of Nature at Regional Scales



  • Understand the unique ecological, economic, and social benefits that a region’s natural resources provide enables more effective conservation and sustainable development planning


  • By focusing on regional scales, we can identify:
    1. specific ecosystem services
    2. economic dependencies
    3. cultural values that are tied to local nature


  • Leads to more tailored and impactful strategies

Why is Nature so Valuble in Appalachia?


  • Rich in biodiversity with many endemic species
    • endemic species =


  • Long cultural history of land connection, especially Indigenous and settler traditions


  • Economically tied to natural resources—forests, streams, wildlife
    • are coal/timber industries a ‘resource curse’?

The value of biological diversity: Categories




  • Scientific Value: Factors that lead to gain or loss of species


  • Value to Human Health: We rely on natural systems for our persistance


  • Economic Value: Biodiversity has infinite commercial value


  • Cultural Value: Natural world anchors human culture


  • Ethical Value: Moral role in conservation and stewardship


  • Intrinsic Value: Value of life

Scientific Value in Appalachia



  • One of the most biodiverse temperate regions on Earth
    • ~50% of salamander species are endemic!
    • high diversity areas are typically warm, close to the equator, and/or are near mountain ranges


  • Important research site for studying climate impacts and species resilience
    • Appalachian mountains are a climate refuges


NEON and other monitoring sites in funding peril???


National Ecological Observatory Network (NSF NEON) provides high-quality, open and free data to enable research on the impacts of climate and land-use change, water availability and invasive species on the nation’s living ecosystems

Human Health Value in Appalachia



  • Medicinal plants (e.g., black cohosh, ginseng) have long been used for healing
    • Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (1994) creating a regulatory framework for herbal medicines under the Food and Drug Administration
    • folk ‘herbalism’, however, is not being passed on effectively


  • Appalachian streams serve as drinking water sources for millions
    • A recent meta analysis of >3,000 Appalachain studies over 20 years could not reach clear conclusions about the state of water quality, or its impacts on health, in any of Appalachia’s subregions


  • Forests help filter air and mitigate respiratory issues in rural communities
    • Clean Air Act (Federal, 1970), Smokestacks Act (State, 2002)

Ginseng populations are a fraction of historical levels: WHY?


Ginseng grows in Appalachia and a region of China called Manchuria. Ginseng in thought to aid in immunity, blood sugar regulation , stress, cardiovascular health…


  • Is it overharvesting?


  • OR is it…
    • logging
    • surface mining
    • climate change
    • deer overpopultions
    • climate change
    • housing developement

Air quality laws vs Deforestation


Appalachia Economic Value – Timber & Tourism



  • Sustainable forestry and outdoor recreation are major contributors


  • Ecotourism and national park visitation
    • Great Smoky Mountains NP: 12 million visits (2024)
    • New River Gorge NP; 1.8 million visits (2024)
    • Shenandoah NP: 1.7 million visits (2024)


  • Loss of biodiversity risks undermining long-term economic sustainability

Appalachia Economic Value – Foraging & Hunting





  • Cultural and economic reliance on hunting, fishing, and foraging


  • Seasonal harvesting of ramps, mushrooms, and herbs


  • Wildlife declines impact local food security and livelihoods

Appalachia Economic Value – Foraging & Ginseng


Cultural Value of Appalachia





  • Deep place-based traditions tied to land: music, storytelling, herbalism


  • Indigenous ecological knowledge systems still practiced


  • Cultural identity rooted in mountains and nature

Ethical Value of Appalachia


  • Stewardship rooted in faith and folklore (e.g., “God’s creation” ethics)


  • Rise of community land trusts and conservation easements


  • Balancing extraction history (e.g., coal) with ecological healing

Intrinsic Value of Appalachia




  • Nature has value beyond utility
    • while providing clean air and water, it also holds intrinsic worth, meaning it has value regardless of its usefulness to humans


  • The Appalachian region sustains us economically but it’s true value is much deeper to those that live here
    • Presence of sacred places (e.g., waterfalls, burial mounds)
    • Storytelling that celebrates animals and forests as having spirit or “aliveness”
      • Appalachian cryptids…

Case Study Species – Salamanders



  • Appalachians: Salamander capital of the world
    • cool high-elevation environments represent ideal habitats


  • Keystone species in forest ecosystems
    • both predator and prey
    • role in insect population control, soil health, and food webs


  • Sensitive to climate change and pollution
    • breath partially through their skin, which makes them sensitive to change

Appalachian salamanders - Scientific Value



  • Biodiversity Indicators: The Appalachians host the highest diversity of salamanders in the world, particularly lungless salamanders
    • Critical group for studying evolutionary biology


  • Ecological Research: Salamanders are used in studies on forest ecology, climate change sensitivity, and soil nutrient cycling


  • Model Organisms: Some species, like the Eastern red-backed salamander, are model organisms for studying territoriality, behavior, and microhabitat use

Appalachian salamanders - Value to Human Health



  • Medical Research: Salamanders possess regenerative abilities (e.g., limb regeneration), which are being studied for advances in human medicine and tissue regeneration
    • bioprospecting


  • Environmental Health Indicators: Salamanders are bioindicators of ecosystem health because of their sensitivity to pollution, pH changes, and toxins
    • Monitoring them helps predict threats to water quality that affect human populations.
    • e.g., Atrazine found in water sources—impacts amphibians and possibly humans

Appalachian salamanders - Economic Value


  • Ecosystem Services: By consuming vast numbers of insects, salamanders help regulate pest populations in forest ecosystems, reducing the need for chemical pest control


  • Ecotourism and Education: The biodiversity of salamanders, attracts ecotourists, naturalists, and researchers, supporting local economies through nature-based tourism and education programs


  • Scientific Funding: Research on Appalachian salamanders attracts grants and investment in regional universities and conservation organizations

Appalachian salamanders - Cultural Value



  • Regional Identity: In the Appalachians, salamanders are featured in school/team mascots, art, and regional folklore


  • Storytelling and Education: Salamanders are used in environmental education as symbols of hidden biodiversity and conservation success


  • Connection to Nature: Their elusive, forest-dwelling lifestyle and variety of colors and patterns evoke a sense of mystery and wonder in visitors and locals alike

Appalachian salamanders - Ethical and Intrinsic Value



  • Moral Obligation: Salamanders have a right to exist, independent of their utility to humans
    • They play crucial roles in forest food webs, contributing to the natural balance of their habitats



  • Stewardship: Humans have a responsibility to protect species like salamanders, which are vulnerable due to habitat loss and climate change


  • Existence Value: Their presence enhances the overall richness and integrity of Appalachian ecosystems

America the Beautiful initiative and Appalachia?


  • Conservation Goal: Conserve 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030 — includes Appalachia


  • Habitat Protection: Targets hotspots such as Red River Gorge (KY) and Cherokee National Forest (TN), home to rare salamanders and bats


  • Community Partnerships: Includes Coalfield Development (WV) and Highlands Biological Foundation (NC) for local stewardship and green jobs


  • Climate Resilience: Promoted by Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy and U.S. Forest Service to protect forests and watersheds


NOW: Executive order policy reversals by the new president have rescinded various environmental and climate-focused executive orders and issued new ones to focus on domestic energy production (e.g., coal) over conservation

False Dichotomy – Environment vs. Economy: Resource curse?


False Dichotomy – Environment vs. Economy: Resource curse?


Next up: Friday open-discussion on the ‘value of nature’



  • Which value resonates most with you personally?


  • Make a persuasive argument for which value aspect of biodiversity is the most important?


  • Prepare a ‘legal brief’ to present to a small group
    • summarize your argument into a few key points
    • provide real tangible evidence
    • submit your brief on Brightspace (can be rough)


  • Feel free to argue the path less traveled


  • Your small group will need to come to a decision based on everyone’s briefs